In the DIY scene (hardcore, punk, metal, etc.) vinyl was a very popular format for independent bands because it was cheap and accessible (both for the bands, their small labels if they even had one, and the fans), but I think obscurity and doing the opposite of what the mainstream is doing were significant factors as well. I used to have an absolute shitload of 7”, EPs, and LPs from random bands all over the world but I got rid of them because a good amount of it I didn’t listen to anymore, and I just didn’t have the space for a record collection. Some of those records that I got for next to nothing are outrageously expensive now in the aftermarket. With the vinyl revival that’s been happening for a few years, oddly enough some bands are going to cassette tapes for similar reasons as the old vinyl days.

I’m looking forward to the 8 track revival and the wax cylinder revival.